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Meet Our Board of Directors & Team

Committees

TIABC is looking for volunteers from its membership to assist the committees.

Please contact us to inquire.

I feel we must speak with one voice and work hard to unify our tourism industry. This board helps us do just that.

Sandra Oldfield

Policy Committee

The Policy Committee develops and updates fact-based policies that clearly communicate the industry’s current concerns and influence decision makers. The Committee utilizes a range of tools to ensure the policy positions it recommends to the Board of Directors reflect the memberships’ views and are supported by research.

Committee members:
1. Michael J. Ballingall (Committee Chair) – TIABC Director
2. Brenda Baptiste – TIABC Director
3. Beverley DeSantis – TIABC Member
4. Barrett Fisher – TIABC Member
5. Katherine MacRae – TIABC Member (Commercial Bear Viewing Association)
6. Joss Penny – TIABC Member (BC Lodging & Campgrounds Association)
7. Paul Vallee – TIABC Member (Gaining Edge)
8. John Wilson – TIABC Member (Wilson Transportation)

Membership & Communications Committee

The Membership and Communications Committee assists the Board in its role of providing input and strategic direction on membership generating activities and communications strategies to support TIABC.

Committee members:
1. Mike Retasket (Committee Chair) – TIABC Director
2. Brenda Baptiste – TIABC Director

3. J.J. Belanger – TIABC Chair
4. Jamie Cox – TIABC Director
5. Ceri Chong – TIABC Member (Tourism Richmond)

6. Nicole Ford – TIABC Director
7. Dennis Innes – TIABC Director
8. Chris Lewis – TIABC Director
9. Joanne Burns Millar – TIABC Director

Finance & Audit Committee

The Finance Committee assists the Board in its fiduciary responsibilities. The Committee also plays a key role in the sustainability of the organization by overseeing the monthly financial statements and reporting back to the board at each meeting.

Committee members:
1. Sandra van Steijn (Committee Chair) – TIABC Director
2. J.J. Belanger – TIABC Chair
3. Jamie Cox – TIABC Director
4. Sandra Oldfield – TIABC Director

Governance Committee

The Governance Committee acts as a working group to assist the Board in ensuring that the organization has the necessary governance structure and policies, including appropriate bylaws, to be an independent and effective tourism industry association on behalf of operators, sectors, DMOs and key stakeholders.

Additionally, the Governance Committee is responsible for ensuring that the Board includes individuals with the skills, experience and broad industry perspective to effectively govern the organization. The process of recruiting qualified nominees for vacant Board positions is overseen by a sub-committee of the Governance Committee.

Committee members:
1. J.J. Belanger – (Committee Chair) – TIABC Chair
2. Brenda Baptiste – TIABC Director

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Reconciliation Sub-committee

The purpose of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee is to assist the Board in its role to establish key metrics and a path forward to ensure TIABC becomes a fair and equitable association well represented by all underserved parties in the tourism industry. Given the current challenges, the Committee will play a key role in establishing the right path forward of the organization.

Committee members:
1. Sandra Oldfield – (Chair) TIABC Director
2. Jarrett Bachman, TIABC Member (Fairleigh Dickinson University)
3. Lisanne Ballantyne, TIABC Member (Tourism Kelowna)
4. Brenda Baptiste – TIABC Director
5. J.J. Belanger – TIABC Chair / Director
6. Barrett Fisher – TIABC Member (Tourism Whistler)
7. Miranda Ji – TIABC Director
8. Chris Lewis – TIABC Director
9. Sandra van Steijn – TIABC Director

Vancouver’s tourism and hospitality sector helped to generate millions of dollars in economic impact as the city hosted three major events over the weekend.  The two-day Coast City Country festival with headliner Luke Bryan (Saturday only) attracted over 100,000 to BC Place Stadium. Sunday afternoon’s Sun Run attracted over 45,000 while a sold out Rogers Arena hosted 18,000 Canucks fans for game one of their playoff matchup against Nashville.

TIABC CEO Walt Judas took in the festival at BC Place, along with PAVCO President & CEO Ken Cretney.
🎙️Dive into Recent Episodes of the Value of Tourism Podcast featuring Rachela Pollock and Ingrid Jarrett! 

Did you know you can access all the latest Voice of Tourism podcast episodes on various platforms? Tune in on Apple, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, Deezer, Podcast Addict, and Podchaser. 🔈 

Listen today through the link in bio 👆
🎙️ Mayor Victor Smith of Hope shares his thoughts on the significance of #TourismWeekCanada2024. Join us as we celebrate the vital role tourism plays in BC and beyond. 🏞️ 

📹: @tourismhcc | #BCTourismCounts
🌟 Big Thanks to MLA @jenniferwhitesidenewwest for extending this message and acknowledging the importance of #TourismWeekCanada2024 in recognition of the businesses and workers who provide outstanding services and experiences to visitors.

📹: @tourismnewwest | #BCTourismCounts
🌟 Get Inspired by MLA Shirley Bond of the Prince George-Valemount region, who shares her thoughts on the importance of #TourismWeekCanada2024. Let's reflect on the significance of tourism in our communities and celebrate the countless experiences it brings to visitors and locals alike! 

📹: @tourismpg | #BCTourismCounts
🎉 Shoutout to the City of Parksville and Mayor O'Brien for joining us in celebrating #TourismWeekCanada2024! Your support means the world to us as we showcase the beauty of British Columbia. #BCTourismCounts 

📹 @parksvillecity